First Anniversary: A Special Day.

My apologies, the time line gets crazier as I make the jump from this day last year to the first anniversary of my transplant. Tuesday morning, I received a call from Randy at the office asking if I could help at a Bordeaux Dinner Wednesday night at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. This question came as quite a surprise. I was not even aware of the event. But I wasn't too surprised to decline. The dinner was with a small group of customers honoring the proprietors of two estates that have become cornerstones of Sigel's Bordeaux portfolio, Alfred Tesseron of Chateau Pontet-Canet from Pauillac and Alexandre and Francois Thienpoint of Vieux Chateau Certan and Wings from Pomerol. 

I will omit my notes on the meal and the wines. Needless to say, it was all very special. And quite delicious! If you want to see notes on the dinner and the wines you can read them on my wine blog, Greenville Avenue Wine.

It's difficult to write about the last toasts of the evening. John turned the floor over to Dr. Goran Klintmalm, who started the Baylor Organ Transplant Program 25 years ago. He spoke softly and eloquently of the 'double blessing' made possible by organ transplants. He finished by turning and offering me a toast on the first anniversary of my transplant. I was totally overwhelmed. And he is right. Organ donation and tranplantation is a gift of life and I have been doubly blessed to be a recipient. The knowledge and awareness of this gift grows deeper with every passing day.

I took the opportunity to thank Dr. Klintmalm and his team of miracle workers who do this work. I thanked the donor who died and because of his family's decision to give, I and many others lead fuller, more productive lives. Without the miracles of modern medicine my life would have ended three years ago. It is humbling to be the recipient of such a great gift and it truly gives my life new meaning and purpose.

As Mr. Tesseron and Mr. Thienpoint and others came up to offer congratulations and thank me for what I said, I was once again overcome. 

What a special day!